The Many Different Uses of Hidden Cameras

While hidden cameras seem sneaky to some people, they can really come in handy in many different situations, which is probably why they've become so popular on the market. In fact, they can be used for so many different reasons; you will find numerous designs and features to choose from when shopping for a hidden camera yourself. Some are simple concepts that will capture the room or space you focus on, while others actually have built in recorders, and the ability to be viewed over the Internet in real time. So what are the reasons you might want to consider using hidden cameras?

Preventing Employee Theft

Whether you hire people to work for you in your home or at a place of business, you want to make sure that they aren't taking advantage of you. If you suspect that an employee might be stealing from you or that they are taking advantage of you in another way, you might want to consider using a hidden camera.

These cameras can capture the theft or activity on camera, which will help with legal matters or simply to confront the employee. Simply put, a camera to capture the mischief can make life a lot easier.

Protecting Your Children

You may have heard of a nanny cam before, but have you ever considered owning one yourself? Some people find this method to be sneaky but when it comes down to protecting your children, it's probably safe to say that nothing can be considered overboard.

When you have young children, it's important to realize that they can't tell you if their nanny is mistreating them in any way. When there is doubt, a nanny cam should be installed immediately.

Catching a Cheating Spouse

Let's face it, nobody wants to be deceived when they are in a relationship, especially when it comes to infidelity. The sad truth is that it happens all the time and most people never even see it coming. However, after the fact many people realize that there will little signs they chose to ignore, that could have exposed the betrayal a lot sooner.

Hidden cameras are the perfect way to catch a lover in the arms of another person, especially if you have reason to believe it's happening at home. You might even consider installing a hidden camera in the car if you have a strong enough suspicion.

Keeping an Eye on Pets

Dogs and cats can be big troublemakers. If you want to keep an eye on your pets while you're away to make sure they are safe and the house doesn't fall apart in their care, a hidden camera that lets you view things as they happen online might be just the solution for you.

They will allow you to see what's been going on at home while you aren't able to be there, making it possible to find just how the toilet paper roll ends up in the living room every afternoon.

How and Where To Place Hidden Cameras

Hidden cameras for both security and monitoring are used in businesses and homes alike, and they have become increasingly popular due to their affordability. However, a "hidden camera" is somewhat ineffective if it is easily spotted, which is why effective placement is one of the most important parts of installation. Finding the right places in a home can be difficult, so here are some helpful ideas for making your hidden camera invisible.

The living area is the first place most people want to install a hidden camera. This is often because it is the most trafficked area of the house, and it is a likely place for a babysitter to reside while taking care of children. Most living rooms provide an endless number of perfect hiding places. Entertainment centers are usually a safe bet for starters. Since there are already a number of electronic devices, most people will right off a camera as another device.

For a wider angle, consider using a mini security camera or bullet camera that is barely visible at a distance and mounted on a curtain rod. Most people spend very little time inspecting curtain rods. Some mini security cameras have what is called a pinhole lens that requires only about 1/16" hole to see through. These type cameras could be placed behind greeting cards or any object that you can poke a small hole through. If located on a shelf or entertainment center usually hiding or blending in the wires is not a problem.

Bookshelves are also great places for cameras, in fact some hidden cameras even come in the shape of a book to blend in with the rest of your collection. This is obviously a very specialized camera form, but there are a number of such forms to choose from. Cameras might also appear to be objects like mirrors, clocks, cigarette lighters, and more. These everyday objects are very common and thus virtually undetectable.

Most of these suggestions also work very well in other areas of a home, along with cameras placed in light switches and flowerpots. These often provide excellent wide-angle views of rooms and hallways. If you are looking to install hidden cameras in bedrooms or child play areas, here are a few more considerations. A nightstand is a great place to place a clock shaped camera, and a personal computer station is a similar scenario to that of an entertainment center. If you are trying to look after your children, many hidden cameras can actually be put inside of a stuffed animal, a toy car, or even in a mobile that hovers above a baby's crib.

There are countless types and shapes of hidden and mini security cameras, so it is important to strategize about the most inconspicuous places to hide a camera in your particular environment. This strategizing will help determine what type of camera you should purchase. If you already have a camera, consider some of the hiding spots first suggested, because a poorly placed hidden camera is really not a hidden camera at all.

DVR Cameras Provide a Convenient and Covert Surveillance Option

So you want to keep an eye on your property but you don't want the hassle of running wires and setting up a full sized digital video recorder. A DVR Camera may be your answer. These cleaver devices are generally disguised as everyday items but contain a working security camera and digital video recorder. They are self contained so there is no need to run wires or worry if your wireless signal is being received.

They work by means of a covertly installed camera usually a pinhole type which requires only about 1/16" hole to see through. The output of this camera is connected to an internal DVR that records onto a SD card. Many DVR Cameras can use cards with up to 32GB of memory which provides many hours of high resolution recording. You will also find many features that are available on full size DVRs such as motion detection, scheduled recording, time date stamp and remote control.

The thought that you may need to covertly record someone is not a pleasant one but sometimes it is the only way to know what has or may happen. There are many uses for these covert cameras such as keeping an eye on care givers to be sure your loved ones are treated well, being sure your employees are not stealing from you or knowing if your teenager is having people over when they shouldn't.

Not all DVR Cameras are created equal so you need to know what to look for. Today you shouldn't settle for a camera that can only record in 352 x 240 resolution which is also referred to as CIF resolution. It should also have an option to record at 640 x 480 resolution which is also known as VGA resolution and provides a better image for details when played back. Some of the newer models will record at even higher resolutions.

If the area you are going to record has adequate lighting such as an office or room with windows and daylight most cameras will provide a good picture. If however the area will have low lighting such as a large room with only one light on not much outside window light you will need a camera with better low light performance. This is usually determined by what is called a lux rating. A rating of.1 lux or lower is needed for low light performance. If you have a very dark area or no light at all you will need a camera with infrared LEDs which provide light that is invisible to the eye but not the cameras sensor.

Another feature to look at is the size of the SD card the camera can use. The sizes are stated in GB (gigabytes), 2 GB is the least amount you will need. Most DVR Cameras record in AVI format for easy playback on a computer. This type of format does not compress files so you will usually only get about 40 minutes per GB. If you use motion detection a 2 GB card may be sufficient but you may want to be sure the unit can handle larger SD cards if needed. Most cameras have the option to set the recorder to stop when the card is full or do continuous or loop recording.

So if you want a convenient all-in-one surveillance solution the DVR Camera is worth considering. They are quick to setup, not easily detected and there is no need to run wires or transmit a video signal.

Mike Ward is the owner of Security Cams, a leading distributor of security cameras and digital video recorders. For more information about security cameras, please visit Security Cams.

The Advantages of Hidden Cameras

If you are trying to find a great way to keep your family and home safe hidden cameras are a great idea. You may want answers for the questions you have been having. Is the nanny treating my kids properly? Where is all of my silverware going? Is someone stealing from me? Getting answers to these questions are among the benefits that hidden cameras offer.

Blending in cameras with the environment and making them basically invisible is quite easy. Most people that visit your home would never guess that there are hidden cameras there. Everyone has perfect behavior when they are aware of cameras on them. You would not believe the things some people do when they believe no one will find out.

Hidden cameras or covert cameras usually come with no wires. This makes is a lot easier to hide them because you have no wires to keep hidden as well. They are also very small and can be hidden at a distance from the receiver without losing signal. They signal will send the picture to the receiver and then the screen.

Covert operations were not always so easy. The cameras use to have a very limited battery time. Some newer models call DVR cameras have both the hidden camera and recorder in one unit. They generally use a SD card contained within the unit for recording, which can be removed and view on a computer. By using micro PIR technology they can extend the standby time up to 1 year and record time to 20 hours from one battery charge.

Installing these covert cameras is simple because you can put them about any where. You can use a book, speakers, or even alarm clock to hide them in. The things you see everyday around your home would be perfect for housing one of these cameras. They can be hidden in almost anything because of how small they are, and know one would even suspect it. You do not even have wires to worry about hiding.

If you have children living in your home then a camera is a wonderful thing to have. It allows you to watch your children closer without them even knowing about it. You are able to be the nosy parent and they will never suspect it. If you have some one come into your home to watch your children a covert camera will let you know if they are behaving properly or not.

A hidden camera can even be used at work. You may suspect that a co worker is snooping through your desk and going through your things. There are many common objects such as tissue boxes or computer speakers that have built-in cameras that can be used. The benefits and uses a covert camera has are amazing and you will likely have just the use for it.

Theft can be a big problem. If you are dealing with this problem a hidden camera can be a great way to end it. You can see who is stealing from you and then call the cops. If you believe your spouse is being unfaithful you do not have to call a professional investigator to find out. Hidden cameras will do the trick. The benefits are endless when you use hidden cameras and I assure you it is not something you will regret buying.

About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner of Security Cams, a leading distributor of hidden cameras and digital video recorders. For more information about hidden cameras, please visit Security Cams.

Using Covert Cameras For Surveillance

There are any number of reasons why you would need to use covert cameras in your home or business. Possibly the most important reason is that thieves and other criminals are becoming well-informed about surveillance and security cameras, and have learned ways to work around being identified.

It is still widely recognized by security personnel that visible security cameras are a considerable deterrent against shop lifting and theft, so many businesses are now employing both visible and smaller covert cameras to protect their staff and their business. Mini cameras are the perfect solution where covert video recording is needed, due to security or limited space.

Even though some covert cameras are extremely small, you can still expect to get the same quality of video recording that you would get from a full-sized camera. Bear in mind that most of the covert cameras that are available are not weatherproof, and so, if you want to use them outdoors, you will need to fit them into a weatherproof housing.

Most spy and covert cameras are wired, meaning you need to run a video cable from them to a recording device. Some wireless models are available for short distances. If you require your wired spy camera to be wireless or need extra transmitting distance, a reputable supplier will be able to provide you with the necessary receivers and transmitters to make this possible. There are some models that include an external microphone to allow you to receive audio monitoring as well.

Mini spy cameras come in a variety of shapes and sizes for any application. You can find models to record in color or black and white, that have a wide angle lens, resemble everyday items and are portable. They come in models that are so small they are virtually invisible, some that are suitable for night vision or low light recording and others that are shaped like a pen for instant audio and video recording.

Whether you want to protect your home or business from thieves, or keep an eye on the children playing outdoors, or to monitor the babysitter you have left to care for your children, a covert camera is the ideal option. The ability to watch what is happening in any situation, without it being obvious, can be a great advantage.

About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Security Cams, a leading online provider of spy cameras wireless security cameras and hidden cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit www.security-cams.com.